Catherine55

That is so great! I love Zumba -- it's so much fun! All that exercise is going to be a huge help! So glad that you read my blog -- nice to "talk" to you on here! Catherine

Hi, Cat! You can call your insurance company and find out what they will cover if you do the surgery private pay. I had my surgery in Mexico (Dr. Rumbaut) and had a great experience. As it turned out, my insurance (BCBS) actually paid for my post-op care, and I only have to pay a co-pay when I go in for fills. It's realy worked out well, and the $9K I spent for my surgery (including flights for myself and my mother, hotel and expenses while in MX) is some of the very best money I've ever spent. It was worth every penny. Best wishes, Catherine

My doctor is OK with alcohol in moderation. I had my first glass of wine about a week after surgery. Hope that helps! Catherine

Hi! It sounds like you have roughly the same amount to lose that I did. I've really found that blogging is a huge help to keep me focused and motivated. I don't know if that's your thing, but it's worth considering. I also follow a lot of other bandsters' blogs, and found that to be really inspiring and motivating. Consider signing up for an exercise class. Not just the gym, but a class where you actually have to show up and where there are other people who will notice if you don't go. I see that you're in the city, and there are plenty of options here -- one of the Boot Camps, Soul Cycle, Physique 57, etc. You could also do a yoga class if you're just getting into working out. Other than that, just try to avoid slider foods and to follow the band rules. Following them 90% of the time is plenty to get the scale moving in the right direction -- you don't have to be perfect to make this work. I hope that helps! Here's to your success during the next 6 months! Also, I wanted to say that, as long as you're losing, you are doing great. This is not a race, and the slower you lose, the more time your skin has to catch up with your new body. Best wishes, Catherine

Don't stress! This happens sometimes. You won't start seriously losing weight until after you get to restriction. Try to relax during this "healing" phase and just follow your diet and don't stress about the number on the scale (I know. . easier said than done, right?!). It might make you feel better to know that I gained 5 pounds during "Bandster Hell" (i.e. before I got to restriction). Guess what? I lost that 5 and a whole lot more after that. The weight will come off, it just takes some time to get there. You have a truly amazing year in front of you to look forward to! BTW, if you haven't taken before photos and your measurements, be sure to do that right away! You'll want them later. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Hi, Swirl! This was a really interesting thread. I'm glad you posted more information, and I agree with the other poster who said that this phase will pass. You probably aren't at good restriction yet (with only one fill -- it took me four to hit my sweet spot). Until I got to restriction, I felt some frustration with how slowly I was losing (or. . gaining, during Bandster Hell). After that though, it's been fantastic. The band is not a magic wand, but for me, it was exactly what I needed to control my portions and keep focused. I absolutely love it. Yes, I get stuck sometimes and PB, but it's such a minor inconvenience compared to carrying around nearly 80 more pounds. I hope that you will grow to love this process, that it will help with your other health problems, and that you will really embrace and start enjoying life as a bandster. Best wishes for your success (and congrats on losing 25 already!!), Catherine

I'm sorry to hear about your home situation too -- and I hope you will find a way to get out of there soon. It sounds like you were lucky -- you would know if your band slipped. Just don't go off your post-op diet again. I really hope that you will get out of that home situation soon. Best regards, Catherine

Hi, Danielle! I told my closest friends and most of my family, but didn't tell everyone. Basically, I did not tell anyone at work and did not tell my brother because I didn't want my sister-in-law to know, since I knew she might say things about it that I found hurtful and not helpful. Not telling people at work was a very positive thing for me. It has cut down on the amount of "food police" behavior I've been on the receiving end of, and also has helped me to keep some boundaries between this part of my personal life and my personal life. I really did not want everyone talking to me about my weight, commenting to me about what I eat, or otherwise opening up my weight as a topic for everyone to discuss with me. Also, you lose slowly and steadily with the band -- and you don't start losing until after you get to restriction. So, by not telling people, I didn't have outside people stressing me out by saying things like "Why aren't you losing faster?" and stuff like that. You really have to decide what will create the most supportive situation for you. It's different for everyone. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

You're only 26, so you may be totally fine when all is said & done. I had my surgery at 37 and got to goal at 39, but everything worked out just fine. I've gone from a 40DD to a 34D or DD after losing nearly 80 pounds. For a while, I was worried that I was going to need a lift, but everything eventually snapped back into place. I was so relieved and surprised by this. As for the bootie, I've been exercising my A off (literally), so it looks good. I've been doing lots of squats, running, yoga and spinning through the last 15 months and that has made a huge difference (I didn't get into exercising in a serious way until about 7 months post-op). I think that using moisturizer every day has helped a bit on the skin front too. I did not wind up with any extra skin. My doctor had some rule of thumb that related to a number -- I think it was 45. He said that if your BMI or your age is under 45, you probably won't need surgery for extra skin. Hope that info helps! Best wishes, Catherine

Hi! Yes -- I watch what I eat within reason, but I haven't suffered because of it. I still have treats and enjoy good food -- I just eat smaller portions now. I eat out several times a week -- it's not a problem. At first, I'd just go on-line and look at the restaurant's menu ahead of time to see what I could order that would be band-friendly, and planning ahead made it a lot easier for me. Nowadays, I don't need to do that -- there is always something I can eat (that I like) on the menu. Feel free to take a look at my blog -- there is so much stuff on there, and I'm sure it will give you a good sense of what being banded is like. Best wishes, Catherine

Here are a few ideas: Breakfast. . Oatmeal, yogurt, eggs (scrambled with cheese, soft boiled, poached) Lunch/Dinner: Sashimi, salmon, Soup, tuna salad, a hamburger patty, Amy's Organics Cheese Enchilada dinner (I eat these way too often. .) Snack/light meal: Granola bar, cheese, unsalted peanuts or almonds Hope that helps! Catherine

It sounds like the band will be a huge help for you. You won't be able to overload on those carbs after you get to restriction. I can eat Pasta, some breads and the occasional bites of pizza, but with the band, I am full quickly and I can't physically eat enough of that stuff to make me gain weight. I just gave this link to another bandster-to-be, so I'm going to post it here too. If you're worried about whether you'll be successful, why don't you write out a plan of the things you'll do to help make sure that you do succeed? I did that and thought it was helpful -- there is a link to my plan on the page, if you want to see it. I do agree with Jalomum about the results being proportional to the effort you put in. I will tell you though that it is SO MUCH EASIER to lose the weight witht he help of the band. I know from many failed attempts that I could not have gotten off nearly 80 pounds on my own. Another great part of that is knowing that the band will help me to make certain that I never gain that weight back again. I hope that helps! Best wishes, Catherine

I'm so sorry to hear about this, and I hope that this does not derail your decision. Reading your message, I feel lucky that I did not have similar news before my surgery date because it might have stopped me from going forward with what has turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. Take a look at this page before your family meeting. Reminding yourself of the many types of ailments that the band can prevent you from suffering could be good preparation. There might be some other good info on there that you can use as well. I hope this helps! Good luck! Catherine

Why wait -- you may as well call now. Probably nothing is wrong, but you should tell him or her about the heartburn-y feeling.

Sorry to hear that you are stressed!! On the band front, you're only in week 3. . aka "Bandster Hell." Everyone goes through that period before you get to restriction where you're hungry and can eat pretty much as you did before. It's totally normal and does not at all mean you won't succeed with your band! Hang in there. :puke: I found reading blogs and having a blog to be a great source of support -- It's been a great part of this process for me, and I've met some wonderful bandsters through it. There is a link to my blog below, and I have a bunch of links posted in it to other bandster blogs. So many people are doing really well with the band -- I bet that reading about more positive experiences might be helpful and give you some great ideas about what to expect, menu ideas, etc. You are definitely not alone on this journey! Hope all goes well with your 3 year old! Best wishes, Catherine

You should let your doctor know how you're feeling, just to make sure it's all OK. I am not sure about that heartburn feeling -- you should just check to make sure it's all fine. Other than that, walking around is really helpful for the gas pain... gets things moving in the right direction. Hang in there! Hope you feel better soon, Catherine

Glad it all went smoothly!! You have an exciting year ahead! Best wishes, Catherine

Aweseome! Am sending you best wishes!! Be sure to get up and walk around as much as you can after the surgery (when your Dr says it's OK) b/c that will help with the pain from the gas they use. I was surprised by how easy the surgery was and hope you will be too. Write down your measurements tonight & take some before pics if you haven't already! Best wishes for an easy recovery and lots of success! Catherine

Way to go!! That is the best possible attitude -- you're going to do so well with the band! Just wanted to tell you to write down your measurements and take a bunch of before photos if you haven't yet. You will want them later! :eek: Best wishes, Catherine

Hi, Ada! It took me months to motivate, but for the past 13 months, I've been working out like a fiend! I started by joining a very intense Boot Camp program and have stuck with it for more than a year to date. I do yoga on Saturdays and just joined a spin studio (here in NYC) called Soul Cycle. It's intense! On Saturday, I did a 45 minute spin class, followed by an hour of yoga! Then was back at spin again on Sunday. I never thought I would be the kind of person who would enjoy working out so much, but I am. I'm so surprised and happy that this change took place, and it's made a big difference in how my body looks. Best wishes, Catherine

Also, check out some of the bandster blogs -- you'll find lots of posts about how people felt post-op. A link to my blog is below, and I have a bunch of links to other blogs that I like posted on the right side of the page. I hope that helps! :scared2: Best wishes, Catherine

I was so scared too! I actually wrote out a pro/con list because I was having doubts, and when I wrote it out, it just made it so clear that I should go forward with the surgery. The risk of you having serious complications due to surgery is WAY less than the near-certainty that you are going to have health problems due to weight. Also, the surgery was so much less of a big deal than I'd expected. I was really surprised, and . . 19 months later. . I can honestly tell you it's one of the very best things that I have ever done for myself. Hang in there! You will be fine! :scared2: If you click on this link and scroll down to the 2nd post, you can read my pro/con list. It might be helpful to you to make one for yourself. I even took mine to the hospital with me, just in case I got the urge to chicken out! Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Congratulations!! You have an exciting year ahead! :bored: Be sure to take before photos today and your measurements if you haven't already! You are going to want them later. Best wishes, Catherine

Congratulations!! Am sending you best wishes for tomorrow. If you haven't taken your measurements and before photos yet, be sure to do that today. You will definitely want them later. Also, if you have a heating pad, you may want that for the shoulder pain after surgery. I didn't have one, but someone mentioned it on here and I thought it would have been nice to have one. Pack lip balm in your hospital bag. You have a wonderful year (and beyond) in store for you. Get ready to finally feel good about your weight, and to feel heathier than you have felt in years. :thumbup: Best wishes, Catherine

I couldn't agree with this more! I really regret not having more "before" photos to compare to current ones. I did take my measurements though. It's amazing to realize just how much smaller I am these days. I love my band. B, you look great -- thanks for posting your photos!! Catherine